Top Picture Books 2012

Even in the middle school we read picture books! Teachers like them for concise examples of concepts that they can read and use the same day. Students like them because it eases some of the stress of middle school like: the testing, the teasing, the trying to figure out what how you want to be known. I just like them!

Top Picture Book reads of 2012

from Abram's Books for Young Readers

Kel Gilligan's Daredevil Stunt Show by Michael Buckley, ill by Dan Santat (Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2012. 40p. $16.95. 9781419703799.)
From eating, to bathing, to sleeping, Buckley takes the ordinary day of a child and turns it into something special. And the illustrations by Santat are phenomonal and pull you even further into Kel's day!

from Random House

Boy + Bot by Amy Dyckman, ill by Dan Yaccarino (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012. 32p. $16.99. 9780375867569.)
Great interpretation of what it means to be friends and how friends take care of each other.  We may be different, but we all want someone to love us the best way they can!

from HarperCollinsChildrens

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, ill by Jon Klassen (Balzer and Bray, 2012. 40p. $16.99. 9780061953385)
My favorite thing about this book are the illustrations.  Klassen has illustrated many books including The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place (a great middle grade series full of mystery and humor), last year's I Want My Hat Back and this year's This is Not My Hat. His style is distinctive and full of character. 

from Random House

This Is Not My Hat written and ill by Jon Klassen (Candlewick Press, 2012. 40p. $15.99. 9780763655990)
Though the title sounds like a follow-up to I Want My Hat Back, it isn't. This humorous story takes place underwater as that cool looking guppy on the cover tries to hide so he can keep the hat he found.

Title links are to my Amazon Affiliate account to help support the blog. Publisher links are to the book page for more information on the book.

In My Mailbox - July 12, 2009

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. Check out her website for additional books to add to your I Wanna Read it list! This week I bring you books from home and one day at The ALA (American Library Association) exhibits.

Bought
Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev - Word Ninja!
Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink - Word Ninja!
Crash Into Me by Albert Borris - Interview with Betty Borris about the author's recovery!

Begged
Red Glass by Laura Resau - won in twitter contest from @RobinBrande
The Treasure Map of Boys (ARC) by E. Lockhart - companion title to The Boyfriend List and The Boy Book
Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink (ARC) - Word Ninja giveaway in August!
Intertwined by Gena Showalter (ARC) - Harlequin TEEN! I cut my first reading teeth on Harlequin!!!
My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent (ARC) - another Harlequin Teen debut!

ALA Exhibits
The publishers were really awesome! I must give special shout-outs to Candlewick, Knopf, and Penguin Young Readers. The lady at Penguin saw my 13yo, The Amazing Dancer, and then presented her with THREE must reads! Candlewick overhead us talking and gave us two amazing books.Knopf gave us any ARC we wanted that she had on display. Thank you wonderful people!
The Amazing Dancer's books

Fire by Kristin Cashore
Hold Still by Nina Lacour
Gone from These Woods by Donny Seagraves
Murder at Midnight by AVI
William S. and the Great Escape by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
After by Amy Efaw
The Goodbye Season by Marian Hale
The Good Neighbors by Holly Black (signed)
In the Path of Falling Objects by Andrew Smith
Goth Girl Rising by Barry Lyga
The Ask and The Answer by Patrick Ness
Invisible Lines by Mary Amato (signed)
Strange Angels by Lilith St. Crow
Little Black Lies by Tish Cohen
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles (signed)

The Brain Lair's Books

Another Faust by Dina and Daniel Nayeri
The Mile Between by Mary E. Pearson
Front and Center by Caltherine Gilbert Murdock
Fat Cat by Robin Brande
Powerless by Matthew Cody
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
The Island of the Blessed by Nancy Farmer
Invisible Lines by Mary Amato
Candor by Pam Bachorz
Blue Plate Special by Michelle D. Kwasney
Geektastic by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
The Sweetheart of Prosper County by Jill S. Alexander
Buck Fever by Cynthia Chapman Willis
Into the Wild Nerd Yonder by Julie Halpern

Can you say WOW!?? And we were only there for a few hours. I just want to thank the wonderful writers and publisher reps we had the pleasure of meeting. You made a long trip well worth it!